The Berlin Airlift took place from June 1948 to May 1949. Initiated in response to the Soviet blockade of West Berlin, the airlift represented a critical moment of the Cold War. As the USSR attempted to cut off supplies to the western sectors of Berlin, the Allies organized a massive operation to deliver food, fuel, and other essentials via air. Over 200,000 flights transported approximately 2.3 million tons of supplies to sustain the city's inhabitants. The success of the airlift not only demonstrated Allied commitment to West Berlin but also highlighted the geopolitical divide between East and West, setting the tone for future Cold War confrontations.